Each year, pianist and educator Marina Petrov brings together an extraordinary range of musicians through the Around the Globe Music Festival (AGMF). It’s a festival I’ve had the pleasure of adjudicating for many years, and it continues to impress me with its international reach and welcoming atmosphere.
What makes AGMF stand out is how genuinely inclusive it is. Whether you’ve been studying Chopin for years or you’ve just learned your first Bach Minuet, there’s a place for you here. This isn’t simply another competition — it’s a chance to perform, to receive expert feedback, and to feel part of a much larger musical community.
Flexible Categories for Beginners and Adult Learners
For adult beginners, AGMF is a particularly encouraging environment. There are solo performance categories starting around Grade 1 level, where you can present a short, simple programme — even a single piece if you wish — and receive written feedback from professional adjudicators. The Adult Amateur Intermediate and Adult Amateur Star categories, for example, are ideal for those working around Grades 2–4, giving you up to ten minutes to perform and the option to mix styles.
It’s all done by video submission, so there’s no need to travel. You simply record your performance and upload your video (details are on the AGMF website
Value and Exclusive Discount
The entry fee for a solo performance category is £67, but my own students and members of my Adult Piano Beginners Facebook group or private course can receive an exclusive discount through a dedicated application form. This makes it a particularly good opportunity for those wanting a first taste of performance or to mark their progress with something concrete.
For the More Advanced Pianists
If you’re working beyond Grade 6 or preparing for diploma-level performance, AGMF also offers recital-style categories where you can present a contrasting programme of up to fifteen minutes. Many teachers and adult returners use this as a platform to perform again — sometimes after years away from the concert stage — and the standard is remarkably high.
Why It Matters
I’ve always believed that performance isn’t about perfection; it’s about communication. The feedback participants receive at AGMF is thoughtful and constructive — the sort of insight that helps you move forward, whether you’re aiming for your first confident performance or refining your artistry at a professional level.
The festival opens for entries on 1st September and remains open until late November, leaving plenty of time to choose a piece, polish it, and record.
Find out more or download the entry details here:
๐ www.agpianomusicfestival.co.uk
Continue Your Learning Journey If you're an adult piano beginner looking for friendly guidance and structured support, you're warmly invited to join my Adult Piano Beginners Facebook Group. It's a space for learners of all styles—classical, pop, jazz, or anything in between.
You can also explore my Hey Presto! Piano Method, created especially for adults and older beginners, and access step-by-step video lessons through my online course. Whether you’re self-teaching or working with a teacher, you’ll find ideas, tips, and resources to help you progress with confidence.
๐ Learn more at www.adultpianobeginners.com
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